Time domain reflectometry measurement instrument
AssigneeMagnetrol International, Incorporated
InventorsBoyce Carsella, Anthony Faust, Leo Klinstein, Lary Soroka, Mark Twaddle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A time domain reflectometry measuring instrument uses a microprocessor that provides added functionality and capabilities. The circuit electronics and probe are tested and calibrated at the factory. Installation and commissioning by the user is simple. The user installs the probe. The transmitter is attached to the probe. The user connects a standard shielded twisted pair to the electronics. Power is applied and the device immediately displays levels. A few simple parameters may need to be entered such as output characteristics and the process material dielectric constant.
Claims14
A time domain reflectometry measurement instrument comprising:
- a probe defining a transmission line, the probe including a fiducial at a near end, and a distal end;
- a pulse circuit connected to the probe for generating pulses on the transmission line and receiving reflected pulses from the transmission line, the reflected pulses representing impedance changes on the transmission line;
- a time sampling circuit connected to the pulse circuit for developing a time representation of the reflected pulses;
- and
- a self diagnostic circuit controlling the pulse circuit and the time sampling circuit, the self diagnostic circuit indicating an error condition if no reflected pulse is received.
A time domain reflectometry measurement instrument comprising:
- a probe defining a transmission line including a reference marker
- a pulse circuit connected to the probe for generating pulses on the transmission line and receiving a reflected signal from the transmission line, the reflected signal selectively including a fiducial pulse representing the reference marker and a further pulse representing material along the probe;
- a time sampling circuit connected to the pulse circuit for developing a time representation of the reflected signal;
- and
- a control circuit controlling the pulse circuit and the time sampling circuit, the control circuit comprising threshold means for detecting reflected pulses in the reflected signal and indicating an error condition if the threshold means does not detect an expected fiducial pulse.
A time domain reflectometry measurement instrument composing:
- a probe defining a transmission line including a reference marker;
- a pulse circuit connected to the probe for generating pulses on the transmission line and receiving a reflected signal from the transmission line, the reflected signal selectively including a fiducial pulse representing the reference marker and a further pulse representing material along the probe;
- a control circuit connected to the pulse circuit for developing a time representation of the reflected signal and comprising a threshold detector for detecting reflected pulses in the reflected signal and wherein the control circuit indicates an error condition if the threshold detector does not detect an expected fiducial pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.